mikey287 wrote:While we're talking about Varly and I see meow in the distance...meow, any other goalies come to mind that have a better blocker than glove hand like Varly does (in my opinion)? I can't really think of any others...

Well, now I know you're talking jive...LaBarbera doesn't have "better" anything...his blocker is worse than his glove and his glove is worse than his blocker...

Bryzgalov, yeah, there's a good case for that...good call there. I don't love Hank's glove, especially early in his career, as it was more of a second blocker...but it has improved, to his credit, I think...

mikey287 wrote:Well, now I know you're talking jive...LaBarbera doesn't have "better" anything...his blocker is worse than his glove and his glove is worse than his blocker...

Bryzgalov, yeah, there's a good case for that...good call there. I don't love Hank's glove, especially early in his career, as it was more of a second blocker...but it has improved, to his credit, I think...

I debated putting Bob on my initial list. I think he might have a better blocker than a catcher.

I believe the wrong guys are setting the tone for them. They need Datsyuk and maybe Geno to lead them, not Radulov and Ovechkin. And I do think they could use Gonchar, both for his leadership and PP skills.

I'm waiting for someone to suggest the Pens sign Radulov, because playing with Sid will surely straighten him out.

Not sure why everyone is so down on the Russians. They haven't been scored on in 2 games. And the Americans only scored on them on the PP... supposedly the "hottest" team in the tournament barely eeked out a win against them.

Their biggest challenge is in getting offensive help from the blueline... and the pressure of home ice. But offense is scarce for everyone in this tournament...

pcm wrote:Not sure why everyone is so down on the Russians. They haven't been scored on in 2 games. And the Americans only scored on them on the PP... supposedly the "hottest" team in the tournament barely eeked out a win against them.

Their biggest challenge is in getting offensive help from the blueline... and the pressure of home ice. But offense is scarce for everyone in this tournament...

pcm wrote:Their biggest challenge is in getting offensive help from the blueline... and the pressure of home ice. But offense is scarce for everyone in this tournament...

This is pretty much what I was talking about. Their forwards at 8 miles (I guess 13 kilometers since they are in Russia) away from their defensemen during a break out. And with the way teams are clogging the neutral zone and the middle of the ice...good luck with that. I'm not blaming their D for being invisible as much as their forwards being careless about working as a team.